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Chelsea deserved Anfield draw, claims Lampard

23/04/2008

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes his side deserved their 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool last night.

The England international was to blame for the Reds' opening goal when, after being caught in possession on the edge of his own box, the ball eventually found its way to Dirk Kuyt who gave the home side the lead.

But an injury-time own goal from John Arne Riise earned the Blues a share of the spoils and gives them the upper hand ahead of the second leg back at Stamford Bridge.

And Lampard said the draw was a fair result given the balance of play throughout the match.

"I definitely think we deserved to get the draw at the end," he said.

"Both teams had chances and it was a battle, but we carried on to the end.

"This is not an easy place to come to but we kept at it and kept going, we created chances and we were persistent.

"There were times when they were on top and there were times when we were on top. I think it was a fair result."

Riise's unfortunate stooping header into his own net was the first away goal scored by either team in the five Champions League semi-final legs played between the sides since 2005.